Battle of Valle de Sanango

The Battle of Valle de Sanango was a battle fought between the Apache tribe and a Spanish expedition sent to clear them out of their homeland in New Mexico. The Apache were able to overwhelm the smaller Spanish force through strength and numbers and mastery of the bow.

The authorities of New Spain authorized Areas de Montemayor to lead an expedition of almost 700 troops into northern New Mexico to claim more land for Spain, but they were more military than civilian in nature. The Apache tribes assembled an army of 2,331 warriors under the war leader Sucki Muhshchii and sent the war party to engage the Spanish in battle. The two armies met in the Painted Desert, with the two sides positioning themselves on opposing hills.

The smaller Spanish force attempted to charge the Apache force, but they were surprised to discover that the Apache were in possession of muskets traded to them by other native tribes and by earlier Spanish merchants. The Spanish soldiers were held back by musketballs and by hails of arrows, and they suffered heavy losses while engaging the natives in the traditional European fashion. Desperate, they charged the Apache forces, only to be forced to withdraw after limited melee fighting. The Spanish briefly withdrew before mounting one last assault against the Pueblo line and they, once again, were repelled with heavy losses. The Pueblo proceeded to pursue their shattered Spanish opponents, and Montemayor and a fraction of his original force survived to flee back to Paso del Norte in northern Mexico.